What's Up Whitehall?
January 2023
Betsy Herb, Gockley Elementary, Kindergarten Teacher
How many years have you worked in education?
I have been in education 20 years. I took some time off to stay home full time when my daughter was younger.
How many years have you worked in the district?
I've worked in this district for 16 years. I was a para professional for 2 years when I was getting back into the classroom. I have been a kindergarten teacher for 14 years.
What are your favorite hobbies?
2020 taught me to buy the concert tickets and book the trips! You can find me listening to live music any opportunity I get and traveling with my husband in our little camper.
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
Every year, I have the opportunity to meet and work with incredible students and families. Students with a wide variety of talents and strengths who in turn teach me so much! I try to create a space where students are comfortable to let their individual personalities shine. Kindergarten is the first stop in their education, so I want them to fall in love with learning.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Give yourself some grace and patience. You are going to create an amazing life with people you have yet to meet, listening to music that has yet to be written in places you have yet to visit.
Bonnie Strauss, Steckel Elementary, 2nd grade Teacher
How many years have you worked in education?
This is my 23rd year.
How many years have you worked in the district?
All 23. 3 years at Gockley and the rest at Steckel.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I also wanted to mention that my mom also taught in this district for over 30 years. I enjoy reading, going to the beach and spending time with my husband and two boys. Sports are also a big part of our lives.
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
I love that our campus offers all buildings on one campus. That offers many opportunities that many districts don’t have. We are blessed with a beautiful campus. I also love how passionate our teachers are about their jobs! I work with some amazing people and I’m so proud of that.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Don’t worry about what others think. Be yourself and be proud!
Heather Mastropieri, Middle School, 8th grade Paraeducator
How many years have you worked in education?
18 years
How many years have you worked in the district?
10 years
What are your favorite hobbies?
Spending time with family, watching and cheering the Whitehall baseball team, watching sports (HS, college and professional)
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
It is very diverse and inclusive
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Your hard work will pay off and most of the people closest to you are people you would least expect.
Natasha Lewis, High School, Library Media Specialist
How many years have you worked in education?
10 years
How many years have you worked in the district?
6 years
What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading, exercising, hiking, crochet, trying new food, spending time with my high school sweetheart, kids, family, and friends
What do you love about the Whitehall-Coplay School District?
I love that our community is incredibly diverse. I learn so much from our students and their families, and enjoy creating a safe library space that represents our fantastic district!
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Try not to plan too much of your life because it will be even better than you could possibly imagine. Be true to yourself and follow your gut.
PowerSchool Student/Guardian Update Instructions
Parents can access and complete the necessary forms through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
The Student/Guardian Information Form is required to begin each school year. Once you have completed the form, your child’s record in PowerSchool will be updated. This will ensure that you receive important communications from your school building and the school district. Parents may revisit the form throughout the year to update phone numbers, email addresses and contact information.
Follow these instructions to complete or update your Student/Guardian Information Form:
- Log in to PowerSchool with your parent username and password. If you have not created a parent account or do not know your user credentials, please contact the school office.
- In PowerSchool, select the Forms tab in the navigation pane on the left side of the screen.
Click on the Student/Guardian Information form and enter your information. Once the form is completed click on the submit tab on the bottom of the form.
Welcome to our Team!
Whitehall-Coplay School District would like to recognize the following personnel appointed at the November and December School Board Meetings. Congratulations on your new role!
Asma Alkhoury, Cafeteria Monitor at Steckel Elementary
Sara Allan, Special Education Paraprofessional at Gockley Elementary
Isabelle Beedle, Building Substitute Teacher at the Middle School
Noah Borgman, Art Teacher at the Middle School
Keegan Buck, Art Teacher at Whitehall High School
Ashley Donegan, Building Substitute Teacher at Gockley
Andrea Helman, Cafeteria Monitor at Zephyr Elementary
Jennifer Hendricks, Cafeteria Monitor at Gockley Elementary
Cassandra Herr, Supervisor of Math and Science
Sherry Holub, Middle School Principal
Samantha Kozza, School Psychologist
Penny Lahue, Business Office Secretary at District Office
Jennifer Modrich-Zughbi, Attendance Secretary at the High School
Taliah Peterson, Special Education Paraprofessional at Gockley Elementary
Lea Rossanense, Special Education Emotional Support Teacher at Steckel Elementary
Natalie Schlofer, Emotional Support Teacher at the Middle School
Sara Shimer, Reading Specialist at Zephyr Elementary School
Jane Speiker, Cafeteria Monitor at Gockley Elementary
Paul Wieder, Supervisor of Information Technology
Elizabeth Wiltraut, Bus Aide
Meet New Middle School Principal, Dr. Sherry Holub
I’m happy to be joining the Whitehall-Coplay Middle School as Principal. My career in education has spanned 23 years and 4 school districts. Teaching experience includes secondary Social Studies and Math remediation as well as various courses at the college level. The past 17 years have been in administration. I served as an Assistant Principal in the Nazareth School District for 12 years at the high school, intermediate school and middle school. My most recent position was as Principal of Bangor Middle school.
Delaware Valley University granted me a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2017 with dissertation work in the area of assessment. I earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University in 2006. Kutztown University conferred a Master’s in Education in Social Studies in 1998 along with a teaching certificate. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Law and Business Administration from Temple University in 1991. My first career was as a Parole Officer in Lehigh County for 8 years.
My educational experiences have afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. My educational philosophy is based on an uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family.
Mark your Calendar!
January 2 - School Closed for Winter Break
January 3 - Schools Reopen
January 9 - Board Committee Meetings
January 16 - School Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 23 - 2nd Marking Period Ends
January 23 - School Board Meeting
January 27 - Athletics Hall of Fame Night
January 30 - Report Cards sent through SwiftK12 at 10AM
Athletics Hall of Fame: Class of 2023
The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee in the Whitehall-Coplay School District is proud to announce its Athletic Hall of Fame for the Class of 2023. One team and one individual will be honored at the Induction Ceremony, which will take place on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Whitehall High School.
The ceremony will be prior to the Varsity Boys' Basketball game between Emmaus and Whitehall, at approximately 6:45 p.m. The varsity game versus Emmaus will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 includes:
1989 SOFTBALL TEAM
WILL PEIFLEY
The 1989 Whitehall Softball team earned this honor by going undefeated and winning the East Penn Conference as well as the District XI Championship with an overall record of 23-2. In addition to being outstanding on the field, the team won the Lehigh Valley Sportsmanship Award. The team was led by Hall of Fame Coach Stan Luckenbill and Hall of Famers Lorie Erie Schmalze and Meri Wall.
Will Peifley, Class of 1959 was a multi-sport athlete who excelled on the basketball court both as a player and a coach. As a student-athlete at Whitehall, Peifley was an all-conference center on the court as well as a member of the baseball and track and field teams. He had an outstanding basketball career at ESU. As the Girls Basketball coach at Catasauqua, he led two teams to Colonial League titles with the '76-77 team going 22-0.
The Hall of Fame Committee is also soliciting additional nominees to be considered for the Hall of Fame. A nomination form can be found at the Athletic link of the Whitehall-Coplay School District website, www.zephyrathletics.com or by contacting Athletic Director Bob Hartman at Whitehall High School.
Golden Latino Student of the Year
Thank you so much for supporting Julian Hernandez, our Latin Student of the Year nominee. We are proud of his accomplishments and thankful for the many hands supporting his achievements when attending WCSD. Even though he was not a scholarship recipient, he was honored among other distinguished Seniors in the Lehigh Valley during the Golden Latin Award ceremony this past Friday, 12/9/22, at the Palace Center in Allentown!
Zephyr Graduate of Distinction
Do you know a “Zephyr Graduate of Distinction”? If so, Whitehall-Coplay School District eagerly awaits the opportunity to recognize our graduates accomplished in the areas of:
- Academic achievement
- Music
- The Arts
- Civic and/or military service
- Community service
- Significant personal achievements
Selection Criteria:
Any graduate of the high school, past or present employee, or past or present resident of the district may submit a nomination. A nomination submitted will continue in the active nomination file for five (5) years.
- The nominee must have graduated at least ten (10) years prior to nomination unless due to the nominee being deceased.
- The nominee must have excelled in their career or made an outstanding contribution to society.
- Individuals may be nominated for achievements in academics, music, the arts, civic and/or military service, community service, or a significant personal achievement.
- Inductees will be limited to 3-5 individuals in any given year.
Selection Process:
A selection committee shall meet yearly to review applications and to select members to the Hall of Fame. A 2/3 vote is necessary for admission. When applications exceed the number of available selections, they will be selected in the order of most votes cast with a simple majority minimum required.
Recognition:
An inscribed nameplate shall be added to the Hall of Fame plaque in a designated area of the high school. A plaque shall also be given to the recipient or their representative. Acknowledgment of the award shall be made at the Whitehall High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony held in spring.
Student Pick-up/Drop-off Information
Please see the links below for a friendly reminder on the student pick-up/drop-off procedures for each building.
School Closing Procedures and Flexible Instructional Days
As we enter the winter months, please be prepared for early dismissals, delays, and closings related to weather. The following possible scenarios could occur:
Early Dismissal
Students will be dismissed from school based on predicted weather that will impact safe transportation.
Dismissal times will vary.
PM LCTI will be canceled.
Two-Hour Delay
Bus pickups and school start times will occur two hours later than the regularly scheduled times.
AM LCTI - Students in need of transportation should plan on taking district transportation to school and report to the Auditorium until their afternoon classes begin. Students that provide their own transportation should arrive at school no later than 11:35 for their afternoon classes.
Schools Closed - No Instruction
Schools and buildings will be closed.
Students are not expected to complete work.
The school day may need to be made up.
Schools Closed - Flexible Instructional Day
Schools and buildings will be closed.
CLICK HERE for more information on Flexible Instructional Day guidelines.
The school day will not need to be made up.
LCTI students will be able to access asynchronous materials by logging on to https://www.lcti.org/. Students should click on the "Clever" tab in the right-hand corner to enter their Schoology Account and gain access to work from their LCTI classes.
The District will utilize the mass notification system, social media, and WFMZ to report early dismissals, delays, and closings. Decisions will be made as soon as possible based on each scenario. A Flexible Instructional Day will be scheduled, at the latest, the evening prior to the Flexible Instructional Day.
If you have any questions, please contact your building administration.
What's Cooking in January?
WCSD Job Opportunities
Head Coach-Football
Head Coach-Cross Country
Substitute Custodians
Special Education, Learning Support Teacher
Substitute Cafeteria/Food Service Workers
School Counselor - High School
Part-Time Transportation Secretary
Substitute Teachers
ESL Paraprofessional
Paraprofessional - Elementary Reading
Bus Drivers
Bus Aide
Substitute Bus Aide